I don’t know about you, but this time of year I seem to be planning lots of parties.  Graduations, end of season team parties, showers, holidays, you name it; there’s something going on!  Here’s a fun way to make place card holders that you could use in a variety of ways.   I was thinking “Fourth of July” so my place card holder has a patriotic theme, but it could work for a graduation or birthday party as well.

Project estimate:

• Mini Pails, $1 for three
• Dowel rod,  on hand
• Wire, on hand or $1
• Foam, on hand
• Metallic ribbon shred, on hand or $1

Total: $1 and up

Step one:  Coil the wire (you can use a pencil) to make a spring.  Leave excess wire at the end.

Step two:  Trace a star onto paper.  Bend the wire to the shape of the star.  I used washi tape to hold my wire in place.  Repeat.  Twist the end of the wire to the coil and clip.

Step three:  Glue a piece of foam into the pail.

Step four:  Glue the dowel rod into the foam.

Step five:  Slide the springy coil onto the dowel rod.  Adjust as needed.

Step six:  Glue the ribbon shred onto the styrofoam.

Now you can put a place card in the star.  These would make cute photo holders, table number markers, or even food labels for a buffet.  Don’t limit yourself to stars…hearts, circles, triangles, or any other shape would work, too.  Have fun creating!